Suspension ski boot

ABSTRACT

This invention in the broadest sense comprises a ski boot, freely pivoting at the ankle, in combination with an adjustable suspension shock absorber to control and optimize compression and rebound damping characteristics. In the preferred embodiment, the ski boot would comprise a rigid, pivoting exoskeleton (providing the lateral stiffness and torsional control), a sub-boot (providing padding, thermal insulation, and water-proofing), and a fully adjustable pneumatic/hydraulic/spring suspension system (providing adjustable fore-aft stiffness, shock absorption, and rebound damping). The object of the invention is to optimize ski boot performance by separating the necessary boot components, allowing them to be designed to optimize different performance characteristics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is intended to address several design short-comingsinherent in all current alpine and Randonee ski boots, namely therelative lack of adjustable fore-aft stiffness and compression andrebound damping. Current ski boots rely on an outer shell of varyingstiffness to provide control and comfort, or at most, a minimallyadjustable spring, screw, bladder, gas chamber, or elastic rods. Theinherent properties of the shell material and these minimally adjustableparts define the performance characteristics of the boot, and as suchcannot be altered significantly in any given boot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The suspension ski boot as described in this application is acombination of existing technologies in a novel fashion. In its mostbasic form this invention is a ski boot that utilizes a separateadjustable mechanical shock absorber to control the fore-aft (ankleflexion/extension) compression and rebound damping characteristics. Inthe preferred embodiment, I propose a ski boot that incorporates a rigidpivoting exoskeleton (to provide lateral and torsional stiffness as wellas support for the other components), a sub boot (to provide insulationand water-proofing), and a fully adjustable hydraulic shock absorber (todefine compression and rebound damping). The novel advantages of thisdesign include maximal lateral stiffness and torsional control (providedby the rigid exoskeleton) with unsurpassed flexibility of control withrespect to fore-aft compression and extension (provided by the separatesuspension shock absorber). With this system, the skier would be able tocontrol compression speed and damping, rebound speed and damping, andstarting and full-compression leg positions. Adjustments in theseparameters could be made day-to-day or run-to-run, and could be based onterrain and snow conditions. Comfort and performance would be enhanced.The shock could be disabled for ease of ambulation, thereby furtherenhancing comfort and flexibility. Disabling the shock would also allowease of climbing for Randonee systems. The object of the invention is tooptimize ski boot performance by separating the necessary bootcomponents, allowing them to be designed to optimize differentperformance characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Lateral view of exoskeleton (boot-mount compression shocksystem)

FIG. 2: Rear view of exoskeleton (boot-mount compression shock system)

FIG. 3: Lateral view of exoskeleton (boot-mount extension shock system)

FIG. 4: Rear view of exoskeleton (boot-mount extension shock system)

FIG. 5: Lateral view of exoskeleton (ski-mount compression shock system)

FIG. 6: Rear view of exoskeleton (ski-mount compression shock system)

FIG. 7: Lateral view of exoskeleton (ski-mount extension shock system)

FIG. 8: Rear view of exoskeleton (ski-mount extension shock system)

FIG. 9: Lateral view of sub-boot

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

* Numerals in parentheses refer to specific parts of the inventionlisted in the various drawings.

In its preferred embodiment, this invention is a combination of a rigid,pivoting exoskeleton (providing the lateral stiffness and torsionalcontrol), a sub-boot (providing padding, thermal insulation, andwater-proofing), and a fully adjustable hydraulic shock absorber(providing adjustable fore-aft stiffness, shock absorption, and rebounddamping). The object of the invention is to optimize ski bootperformance by separating the necessary boot components, allowing themto be designed to optimize different performance characteristics. Theexoskeleton as diagrammed would be cast, forged, or machined fromaluminum or similar alloy, or it could be cast or formed from plastic,composite material, carbon fiber, or other similar durable, stiffmaterial. In the preferred embodiment, it would have releasableattachments to fasten it to the sub-boot, which in the preferredembodiment would be simple screw fasteners. The exoskeleton could bepermanently bonded to, or be formed with, the shell of the sub-boot.There would be several possibilities for position of the suspensionshock absorber. On the compression boot-mounted shock option, the toecage would have a shock mount, and on the compression ski mounted shockoption, this mount would either be on the toe binding, or on the skiitself. The extension boot-mounted shock would attach to the sole infront of the binding, while in the extension ski-mounted option, theshock mount would either be on the rear binding, or on the tail of theski itself.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the compression boot-mounted shock option.The front flap (1) of the exoskeleton would provide support for theskiers shin and could have several possible points of fixation (notdiagrammed) on the shin rest to which the shock could be attached,allowing customization of travel and forward lean. In the preferredembodiment, there would also be a quick-release shock mount (2) eitheron the front flap or toe cage (3) allowing the shock to be easilydisengaged or removed to permit easy ambulation and climbing forRandonee systems. The rear flap (4) would provide support for the calf,and along with the front flap, would be attached at the hinge (5), whichwould allow for unrestricted ankle flexion and extension as well ascanting adjustment. The hinge would be mounted to the heel cage (6),which would provide fixation for the heel of the sub-boot. The portionof the exoskeleton holding the lower leg could be either a clamshell orvertically-hinged, allowing easy step-in access for the inner boot. Theclamshell option is the preferred embodiment. The exoskeleton sole (7)would have standard toe and heel tabs designed for standard skibindings. The front and rear flaps would have closure buckles (8), whichwould be of any typically available variety as are currently employedfor ski boot shell closure. The suspension shock absorber (9) wouldprovide adjustable fore-aft stiffness, shock absorption, and rebounddamping. The front flap, rear flap, toe cage, heel cage, and sole wouldhave releasable exoskeleton attachment sites (10—indicated by phantomboxes) to fasten the exoskeleton to the sub-boot.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of this shock-mount position. The additionalvariations of shock mounting areas are diagrammed in FIGS. 3-8.

In the preferred embodiment, the sub-boot would be much like a typicalski boot, with a plastic shell and a soft liner, but the shell would bethinner, more flexible, and more breathable than a typical ski boot. Theliner would be constructed of available breathable waterproof materialand insulating padding. The liner would be closed around the skier's legwith closure straps (11). The sub-boot and exoskeleton could also beformed as a single unit to be used in conjunction with a shock absorber,but this would not be the preferred embodiment. The sub-boot would havea reinforced tongue (12), calf support (13), toe cup (14), heel cup(15), and sole (16) providing supportive areas for the sub-bootattachment sites (17). These attachment sites would serve to fix thesub-boot to the exoskeleton.

The shock absorber would be a modification of existing technology. It isnot the subject of this patent application other than its inclusion withthe other components to control the fore-aft compression and dampingcontrol. The primary design is of a compression-based shock system, butthe design drawings include a system based on both compression andextension possibilities. In compression-based versions the shockabsorber compression resistance could be either pneumatically or springcontrolled, and in the extension shock versions, the extensionresistance either pneumatically, spring, or elastomer controlled.

A utility patent is requested to cover the proposed invention and anyuse of any hydraulic shock absorber to control the afore-mentionedproperties of a ski boot. The proposed invention is also demonstrablydifferent from the devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,694,593,4,949,480, and 4,777,746. In these inventions the “shock absorber” iseither a chamber forming part of the outer wall of the boot and housing“an elastically deformable body”, or a simple plastic spring. These arenot true adjustable suspension shock absorbers as currently used inmotor sports or mountain biking, as described in this patentapplication. Furthermore, this invention describes a separablethree-component system (exoskeleton, inner liner, and separatesuspension shock absorber). Characteristics of each of the elements canbe easily separately altered, upgraded, and even exchanged withoutaffecting the other elements. The inventions described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,694,593, 4,949,480, and 4,777,746 are either non-separable, and/or arenot as easily tuned, modified, upgraded or exchanged.

1. A ski boot utilizing a separate adjustable hydraulic shock absorberto control and optimize fore-aft (ankle flexion-extension) compressionand rebound damping. said ski boot comprising in the preferredembodiment an exoskeleton, a sub-boot, and a separate hydraulic shockabsorber;
 2. The ski boot as defined in claim 1 wherein saidexoskeleton, preferably adapted to the shape of a foot and leg,comprises a front flap, rear flap, hinge, closure buckles, quick releaseshock mount, toe cage, heel cage, sole, and attachment sites, and iscast, forged, molded or machined from any durable, stiff material suchas metallic alloy, hard plastic, carbon fiber, or composite material.said front flap (1) providing support to the shin (tibia), in thepreferred embodiment incorporating releasable attachment sites (10) tofasten the exoskeleton to the sub-boot, and in some cases providing afixation point for the quick release shock mount (2) and mounted to saidhinge (5); said rear flap (4) providing support to the calf, in thepreferred embodiment incorporating releasable attachment sites to fastenthe exoskeleton to the sub-boot, and in some cases providing a fixationpoint for the quick release shock mount and mounted to said hinge; saidhinge (5) attaching the front and rear flaps together and allowing forunrestricted ankle flexion and extension; means for securing the frontand rear flaps together, such as standard ski boot closure buckles (8)currently in use for similar applications; said hinge attached to arigid heel cage (6), in the preferred embodiment with provision forcanting adjustment (adjustment of the side-to-side angle of the frontand rear flaps with respect to the sole (7) of the exoskeleton); saidheel cage attached to the rigid sole, in the preferred embodimentproviding attachment sites for securing the heel cup (15) of thesub-boot; said toe cage (3) attached to the sole, in the preferredembodiment providing attachment sites for securing the toe cup (14) ofthe sub-boot and providing an attachment for the quick release shockmount in a boot-mounted compression system; said releasable attachmentsites in the preferred embodiment fastening the exoskeleton to thesub-boot and comprising simple screw fastening mechanisms;
 3. The skiboot as defined in claim 1 wherein in the preferred embodiment saidsub-boot comprising an inner liner attached to a plastic shell adaptedto the shape of a foot and leg with closure straps and reinforced areasin the tongue (12), calf support (13), and toe and heel cups. said innerliner comprising a waterproof material and insulated padding; in thepreferred embodiment said plastic shell comprising any available durableplastic or composite, and incorporating reinforced areas in the tongue,calf support, and toe and heel cups providing releasable attachmentsites to fix the shell to the exoskeleton; means for fastening saidshell to the foot and leg, defined as closure straps (11);
 4. The skiboot as defined in claim 2 wherein said shock absorber would be amodification of existing technology comprising any adjustable hydraulicshock absorber to provide control of the compression and rebound dampingcharacteristics of the boot as a whole as well as the starting andfull-compression leg positions. in the preferred embodiment means forattaching it to the exoskeleton by quick release shock mounts, allowingit to be easily disengaged or removed to permit easy ambulation andclimbing for Randonee systems; * Note: The use an adjustable hydraulicshock absorber to define damping characteristics is an integral part ofthe patent application, but the shock as a separate entity is not thesubject of this patent application.